Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/385

This page needs to be proofread.

DELAWARE COUNTY. 361 Death of Rev. Daniel Shepard. — This community lias been called upon to mourn the loss of one of its brightest orna- ments^ Key. Daniel Shepard, a.m.. Principal of the Delaware Academy. Mr. Shepard, at the close of the summer term^ took a tour, west, where he contracted the disease peculiar to that section of country, congestive fever. He did not sup- pose his sickness was of sufficient virulence to render it neces- sary to stay his journey, and he proceeded on, and finally reached home some two weeks since. The disease had taken a firm hold of his system^ so much so as to bafile the efforts of his physicians to conquer it, and on Saturday night last, Novem- ber 29th, 1846, his spirit departed to dwell with Him whom he had so delighted to honor and worship. He was 31 years of age. Mr. Shepard has been at the head of the Delaware Academy for sojue ten years ; and it is only necessary to point to the manner in which that institution has flourished, now having a stand among the first in the State, to show his fitness for the responsible station. It was not with him a mere matter of gain ; he loved his school ; he loved his pupils ; he sought their welfare with untiring zeal and assiduity, not only their welfare in this world, but he aimed, while preparing them for the duties of life, to instil into their minds those great principles of religion, which would render them useful here, and prepare them for a brighter world. He took pride and satisfaction in seeing those under his care pass an honorable and creditable ex- amination in the several pursuits of knowledge ; but his inte- rest in them did not cease there : he besought them frequently and fervently, to be preparing for the great and final Com- tlien of Franklin, were members of the convention of 1801, which amended the Constitution in respect to the relative power of the presi- dent and members of the Council of Appointment, and in limiting the number of senators and members of Assembly. 31